"Riding the Wave: Why Gen Z is Choosing In-Demand Blue-Collar Careers Over AI-Resistant Jobs"
"Since COVID, people are kind of catching the wave and understanding the need for trades," Shaw told FOX Business' Stuart Varney. He explained that there is a high demand for essential workers, and that students at his schools were essential during the pandemic, working in hospitals, transportation, and keeping Amazon deliveries going.
Enrollment in vocational community colleges is up 16% since 2018, according to a January 2024 National Student Clearinghouse report. Younger generations are turning towards trades and careers instead of paying for college tuition. Shaw noted that about 20% of their students are right out of high school, about 50% are 21 and younger, but the average age of their students is 25. They also have a lot of career changers, people that have tried college and found it wasn't right for them or people that now want to follow their passion.
Another Clearinghouse report released in April detailed the drop in undergraduate completions for the 2022-23 academic year, marking a decline for the second year in a row. However, that year also saw continued growth in first-time certificate earners in mechanical or repairs, production and construction trades.
Ken Coleman, America's career coach and Ramsey Solutions personality, believes that trades provide a quicker and less expensive alternative to college education. He noted that 75% of Gen Z is saying they are interested in being an entrepreneur, and that trades offer a quicker, cheaper path to being able to work for themselves, create jobs for other people, and plug into the backbone of our economy - small business. Coleman said he believes that there will be a "dramatic shift" to trade careers and entrepreneurship in the next couple of years.
Coleman noted that the trend will continue because trade schools aren't just a traditional plumber or electrician anymore. It's also technology. He weighed in on those who attend college for professions and industries, such as law, medicine and other sciences where higher degrees are required, but he argued that for many other professions, college may not be necessary, and students should consider the type of college, whether it is private or state-funded, and whether it is considered a bigger or a smaller school, as those answers will help dictate the overall expense.
In conclusion, Gen Zers are increasingly turning to blue-collar jobs and vocational training as an alternative to college education. With the rise of AI and automation, these jobs are seen as more stable and less susceptible to automation. Vocational schools and training programs are seeing a surge in enrollment, as more young people seek out careers in the trades.
Sources:
<https://www.foxbusiness.com/lifestyle/gen-zers-catching-wave-blue-collar-jobs-ai-cant-take-tech-ceo-says>
Comments
Post a Comment